Another auction disappointment

[Mike D.]

Well, I was seriously let down this morning, after a call from Rock Island Auctions. They have an extra lightweight 1886 Winchester listed as a 22" barreled .40-82, so I called yesterday to place a bid on it. They were kind enough to tell me that the item is incorrectly identified in the catalogue and is actually a .45-70. DARN!! This is not the first time this has happened with RIA. If any of you are considering a bid on any of their lots, a confirming call is an absolute necessity.

[Tycer]

Thanks for the heads-up!

[71fan]

Thanks for the heads-up and the good advice. That would have been a very rare find if it had been true.

I generally assume the auction houses are accurate in their descriptions and have never called to follow up. I guess I've been lucky so far but I definitely will do further research in the future.

[Mike D.]

I was all fired up about that gun, too. I sent a bid of $$$$ and was hoping to see it through, but this morning's call from them busted my bubble, big time. I know that lightweight '86s exist in most calibers, but they are very scarce, indeed. I have them in .38-56, .45-70 and .45-90, so a .40-82 would be the cat's a**.

BTW, Cabela's often has nice Winchesters, but their prices are often out there. They have a lightweight .45-90 with a full mag, another configuration I haven't found in decent shape, but the asking has me fearful.

[6pt-sika]

I have them in .38-56, .45-70 and .45-90, so a .40-82 would be the cat's a**.

You need an 1886 LWT in 33 WCF !

I have old Marlin 1895's in 33 WCF , 38-56 , 40-65 and 40-82 ! But that 33 WCF is fun fun fun to shoot !
Now for me a nice old Marlin 1895 in 45-90 would be the cat's what you said

Incidently I can personally attest to the deer killing abilities of the 38-56 and 40-65 out of my two rifles with home cast bullets and open sights

[Mike D.]

I have 3 .33 WCF 1886 Winchesters, but they are not considered Extra Lightweights. The .33 caliber guns were catalogued as rifles, with the Extra Lightweight nomenclature reserved for the larger calibers. Somewhere along the pike they also came to be called ELs by sellers and some collectors. The moniker stuck, despite Winchester's intent. An interesting note is that all ELs, regardless of barrel length or caliber, had nickel steel barrels. The little ramp front sight is the identifier for these extremely strong barrels, which were, and are, rated at 100,000 PSI. Most are marked "nickle steel barrel, especially for smokeless powder", or simply "nickel steel", on the left side of the barrel, below the rear sight. Some are marked only by the initials MNS, or NS, on the flat at the barrel bottom. A scarce few of the later guns carry the "Winchester Proof Steel" barrels.